In the theological disputes after Martin Luther's death in 1546, the princes tried to remain neutral for a long time.

Following on from the important role that Philipp Melanchthon's mediating theology played in Anhalt, and in particular in contrast to Electorate Saxony, Prince Joachim Ernest's sons converted to the Reformed denomination in 1596, initially through a liturgical reform, and then from 1606 through the introduction of the Heidelberg Catechism.

In the Principality of Anhalt-Zerbst, however, a Lutheran church system had been established since 1642, with the Formula of Concord as the confessional basis.

When the German Confederation was founded in 1815, there were three sovereign Anhalt states: Anhalt-Bernburg, Anhalt-Dessau and Anhalt-Köthen; these were united in 1863 to form the Duchy of Anhalt.In 1820 the union of Lutheran and Reformed congregations was carried out in Bernburg and in 1827 in Dessau.

The spiritual leadership was provided by the superintendents, who - in addition to secular government councilors - also sat in the consistory.

In the November Revolution, the Duke of Anhalt had to abdicate, which meant the end of the sovereign church regime.

At the time, it was considered the most democratic church constitution in Germany because it contained a biblical (not historical) confession as well as freedom of belief and conscience for all members, who also had very extensive rights to have a say.

Since then, the people of the church have been sovereign and have determined a national synod - initially through direct election.

In recent decades, the congregations of the Evangelical Regional Church of Anhalt sing or have sung primarily from the following hymn books: The ordination of women and blessing of same-sex unions had been allowed.

[4] The weekly newspaper is published in collaboration with the Evangelical Church in Central Germany - it is entitled Faith and Homeland.